British Business Bank Start Up Loans
Government-backed unsecured personal startup loan of up to £25,000 per founder at a fixed 6% interest rate with 1–5 year terms and 12 months of free business mentoring.
Scheme Overview & Underwriting Criteria
The UK British Business Bank Start Up Loans program delivers accessible, low-interest capital to aspiring entrepreneurs across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each founder can borrow up to £25,000 (up to £100,000 for a team of 4 co-founders) with no early repayment penalties.
Approved vs. Ineligible Expenditure Schedule
- •Initial working capital and inventory purchases
- •Equipment, tooling, and commercial machinery
- •Website build, branding, design, and software prototyping
- •Initial marketing, advertising campaigns, and PR outreach
- •Premises fit-out, lease deposits, and legal incorporation expenses
- •Debt consolidation or paying off personal credit card debts
- •Gambling, property speculation, or currency day trading
- •Investments into other companies or speculative crypto assets
- •Training or academic qualifications not directly required for the business
Required Documents & Assessor Submission Pack
Common Disqualification Red Flags
Assessor Underwriting Warning & Cashflow Timing
This is an unsecured personal loan for business purposes. You are personally liable for repayment even if the startup fails.
Test your venture against this grant in 60 seconds
Startup Preflight cross-references your concept canvas, headcount, location, and technical work packages against British Business Bank Start Up Loans underwriting criteria before you apply.